Desire
The engine of the soul — every tradition treats craving as either the wound or the wing.
"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
"Not to commit any sin, to do good, and to purify one's mind, that is the teaching of (all) the Awakened."
"Without knowledge there is no meditation, without meditation there is no knowledge: he who has knowledge and meditation is near unto Nirvana."
"Let right deeds be thy motive, not the fruit which comes from them..."
Discussion
No one has written anything here yet. Some places to begin:
- Which verse landed hardest for you?
- What's a counter-text — a verse that complicates this theme?
- How does this theme show up in a tradition not represented here?
Sign in to join the discussion.